BeanitoDiego

19 hours ago, BlueParis said:

I like crispy tofu in the airfryer.

A hearty second vote! Tofu with any topping or seasoning is flipping amazing in an air fryer.

Being mindful about drinking a lot of Water during the day, using a discreet timer to separate food and water intake, drinking proffees every morning (I LIVE FOR MY PROFFEES), reading nutrition labels on packaged foods & getting annoyed at how unhealthy most of them are. And of course, eating small portions and choosing foods that have high nutritional values.

After surgery, I would have spasms when trying to take in cold or cool drinks. Everything had to be warm or room temperature. 10 months post-op, and I can drink cold things again.

These are my favorite vegan brands (in the US) for processed foods: Field Roast, Morningstar Farms, Violife, and Orgain. I have also tried OWYN Protein Shakes and keep a few in the 'fridge.

I'm not a huge fan of Daiya products, but the shredded white cheese is okay on top of Beans.

On 6/8/2024 at 9:59 AM, NickelChip said:

I liked making a ricotta bake with one small container ricotta cheese mixed with 1-2 eggs and spread in a small baking dish, topped with a jar of marinara (make sure it's not chunky, so put in blender if needed) and a handful of mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350F until the cheese browns.

Ooo @NickelChip this sounds great! I will be trying it very soon.

I've just discovered lupin/lupini Beans. They're a bit fussy to prepare from scratch, but I don't mind. And really, most beans from scratch are a bit fussy, right? 🤪 Anyway, in the final stage of cooking I use a vegetable broth instead of Water. For the meal, I have a 1/2 cup cooked beans, 1-2oz. of fresh Tomato, 1-2oz. of sliced cucumber, and 1/4 of an avocado.

Feels so good to put nutritious foods in my body!

Thanks for sharing an update! I find a lot of inspiration in your story.

Protein Powder for my morning proffees and lots of snacks: nuts & dried berries (usually with a little chocolate mixed in), unsweetened toasted oat Cereal, cheese, and Protein Bars.

7 hours ago, ms.sss said:

i painstakingly removed all the raisins from my mixed nuts lunch (i hate raisins)...which wasn't easy cuz there are dried cranberries in there (which i love)!

350 cals for the bowl, am gonna snack on them for next couple hours as i plant myself in the couch and watch the French Open on tv.

Dried berries and nuts have become crucial to my existence 😁

I have experimented with making my own low carbohydrate breads using primarily eggs and almond flour. Here is a go-to recipe for making a little at a time; I scale it up if I am meal prepping.

1 egg

1 Tablespoon olive oil

3 Tablespoons Almond Flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and pour into a microwave-safe bowl or ramekin. Microwave for 90 seconds. Flip out and slice in half.

It's not exactly bread, but paired with a veggie sausage patty, it's a very filling grab-n-go Breakfast.

For convenience, I have purchased Healthy Life Keto Bread at supermarkets. It has 35 calories per slice, 9g of carbohydrates, 8g of Fiber, and 5g of Protein. My serving size is usually one piece toasted, with avocado, Tomato, and nutritional yeast on top.

I like both for different reasons. Indoor time is more intense and I regard it as training for the opportunities be outside engaging in activities that I find fulfilling, like swimming, camping, boating, and hiking.

Half a cup of lupin Beans, 1/4 cup of sweet potato, 1/5 of an avocado, 1 slice of cucumber, 1oz of Tomato. I will take a break and finish the leftovers as a snack later.

I just found lupini Beans for snacking! (Sometimes called lupin beans.) I have another package of chili lime flavor that I’ve opened, and they’re a delicious new adventure for me ☺️

I've only tried a few products, but have found two convenience foods that are good for packing a lunch/snacks while I'm engaging in outdoor activities. The first one is the Caramel Crunch Protein bars:

https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/bariatricpal-high-protein-bars-caramel-crunch

I also like these Protein Crisps in ranch and barbeque flavor:

https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/bariatricpal-protein-crisps-ranch?variant=12060717809740

In the USA, federal legislation called the No Surprises Act was enacted in 2021 to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. It has been supplemented with changes as recently as January of 2024. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and patients have protections and rights against certain charges. Here's a link for more information:

https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises

Many of us have had to navigate the complex insurance system in the States and we are no strangers to advocating for ourselves. I was hit with a surprise bill 4 months after my surgery and having knowledge of this legislation helped me avoid paying a large amount of money to an out of network provider that assisted with my surgery.

I haven't tried a boil in bag, but I incorporate quinoa regularly into what I eat these days. It is easy to prepare from scratch. I found this site that is a good introduction into cooking it:

https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-cook-quinoa-perfectly-article

Hope you enjoy it! I like it with roasted veggies on the side, or topped with melted cheese.

I travelled internationally two months ago, and was 6 months post-op. I brought Protein bars, protein-enhanced electrolyte Water mix packets, an empty water bottle & coffee cup, and Snacks like a nut-based trail mix that I like to put together. I also hauled a giant plastic container of protein powder with me because I LIVE for my morning proffees. No problems crossing any borders or with any airports/security checkpoints.

My go-to is always firm tofu or tempeh, stir fried with vegetables or prepared in an air fryer and served with roasted vegetables. I flavor the tofu in different ways; BBQ, ranch, honey mustard, and teriyaki are my faves. Quinoa mixed with black Beans or black eyed peas, also with veggies, makes it onto my plate a few times a week, too.

A trick that I have learned when preparing firm tofu is to squeeze out the excess Water. I found something called a tofu press that is basically a box with a heavy spring. Place the tofu inside, press down, close the lid, and the excess water is drained out. It really, really helps!

15 hours ago, matt917 said:

I am wearing socks at home. I never used to wear socks to sleep but it’s a must now. I can’t seem to keep warm.

Socks at night are a must-have! This will be my first summer post-op, and I can already tell that I will be in long sleeves and pants more often than not.

For me, the changes in the way that I began feeling physically were motivating. I felt lighter and more ease of movement in the world. I liked seeing more of my natural jawline in the mirror. There was a spark that really wanted to see how far I could go on this path, and I am pleased as punch to be where I am at today!

At the beginning of my fitness journey, I joined a national chain gymnasium for a little over $10 per month. It rhymes with Janet Witness, and had a variety of low impact and muscle building machines to try out. Pushing towards 300 pounds, I had to work up the courage to be there but soon found that everyone was in their own little zone, paying me no mind.

I took advantage of their membership benefit that allows one to meet with a trainer to plan a custom routine. Three years later, I am still a member of this gym and am grateful for the healthier lifestyle seeds that they helped me plant.

Bravo! 👏

I have been using a retinol-based product at night, washing it off of my face in the morning. I also put it on my neck, chest, arms, and hands. But please be cautious and read up on retinol before starting to use it. One is required to use sunscreen religiously while using retinol-based products and to continue doing so up to two weeks after discontinuing their use.

Hopefully some others will chime in with their solutions. I wish you good luck in finding something that will work well!

The difference in photos is striking, especially considering that they are only 4 months apart! Are you doing any exercise or training for your core muscles? That has helped me a bit, as my stomach is still a bit pronounced, too.

I can't speak to the question of fiber, but I can share with you what my dietician said about net carbs. She told me to ignore net carb count and focus on total carbs. So on my tracking journey, I would count the tortilla as ingesting 32g of carbohydrates.